Follow Hershel Friedman’s hiking excursions in all types of weather and terrain in the lower New York / Hudson Highlands area. From short hikes in Harriman State Park to insane scrambles in the Gunks, you can follow it all here.

This was my first time doing this part of the Nurian Trail. I found the trailhead difficult to find because the map is incorrect and there aren't the symbolic three markers at the trailhead. I parked in the same parking area as the Southfields post office, and walked down a little street (Spring Street) to Railroad Ave. I then walked along the side of the railroad tracks north for a little bit until the trail came out of the right side. In retrospect I should have parked off the side of Route 17 north of Railroad Ave. since you can pick up the trail from there much easier without having to walk along the side of the tracks.

The Nurian Trail crosses the Ramapo River on an old bridge shortly thereafter, and then crosses over the busy Thruway on a pedestrian bridge. The trail then follows and old road parallel to the highway and then proceeds to climb the mountain. We climbed up and then back down to the Stahahe Brook Valley, and then ascending through the scenic "Valley of Boulders" up to a small viewpoint near Green Pond. At this point the Dunning Trail begins, but we continued along the Nurian Trail along its parallel course to the Dunning and when we hit the old mine road, we took the Dunning Trail to the Boston Mine.

The Boston Mine features a T-shaped cut with a large, water-filled hole going into the hill on one side. After the mine we bushwacked a short distance back to the road, and then took the Nurian Trail along the north side of Green Pond. This is a beatiful, natural pond that has beaver huts along the edges. There are small cliffs alongside the north and west side of it, where the trail go, making it particularly scenic, especially in the foliage. At the end of the trail it climbs up a hill to a nice view facing west. At this point we hit back to the Nurian Trail and took this same return route all the way back.

Map of the Route
Harriman State Park both Northern and Southern Maps

Crossing the Ramapo River

Pedestrian Bridge Across the Busy Thruway

Above the Thruway on the Pedestrian Bridge

Pretty Autumn Scene near Stahahe Brook.Notice the Orange Boat cut in Half Towards the Right

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Total Time: 0:45 hoursEstimated Distance: 2.0 miles (roundtrip)Level of Difficulty: Very easyLevel of Recommendation: Recommended for a short and easy walkPoints Of Interest: Hike on old railroad bed through wetlandsPros: Interesting wetlandsCons: Confusing parking situation, follow same route back

This is a very easy hike through an old abandoned railroad bed through a wetlands area. There are often interesting birds to be seen here, and in the fall this made a nice foliage hike. The hike is short and very easy, with no elevation gain on a straight path. The trail is on an elevated grade above the swamp below, and is entirely straight throughout its duration. It starts off Pomona Road, and parking is at the parking area at the citizen's center. There are signs here stating parking here is only for the citizens residents, but I believe hikers/strollers are allowed to park here as well, and I did so. I do with they made this less confusing and designated hikers parking without the confusing signage. I walked down the trail all the way to the other end, where is hits a construction spot near Route 202, and then I turned around and walked back the same route.

This hike was at the peak of the autumn foliage. I made sure to do a hike with both good views and a pretty lake. We parked at the trailhead parking crescent on Route 6 where it meets the Long Path. We took the Long Path down to the valley, and at the intersection with the Gorge Trail, made a left on the woods road in the valley. Where that road hits the Long Path, we climbed up the mountain to the top, where the Torrey Memorial is. This part is a good climb. We then continued and climbed down the mountain on the other side, and at that same intersection we were at before, we took the Popolopen Gorge Trail all the way down to Turkey Hill Lake. The trail follows the southern part of the lake. After the dam we went on the woods road that connects to the 1779 Trail, and then took this trail past the public works area and then along a different woods road parallel to Route 6 but in the woods. This path has recently become very overgrown and is hard to follow. It is not recommended due to this. The woods road steadily climbs until it is right near the parking lot of Route 6.

This is a little-known trail in Mahwah, right across from Ramapo College. Although it was a weekday, a beautiful, upper-70's day in the fall called to me for a quick lunchtime hike.

This area is right next to Ramapo Mountain Reservation, which is more well-known, but is not connected to it and is separated by the Ramapo River. There is a new trail that was created surrounding Lake Henry, and it is a pretty path with nice scenery of the lake and the mountains behind the lake. Lake Henry forms from a spur of the Ramapo River, and seems to be a natural lake with no dam. At the far end of the lake there is a short path to the main artery of the Ramapo River, which runs behind the lake. There were several interesting species of waterfowl present when I was there, including swans and several types of ducks. There are two bridges, one crossing at the inlet and one crossing at the outlet of the lake. The trail starts behind the park and tennis courts, and the path is a complete loop around the lake.

Map of the Route

Map Kiosk at the Beginning of the Trail

Foliage at the Ramapo Mountains

Ramapo Mountains and Hawk Rock Behind Lake Henry

Lake Henry with Ramapo Mountains and Hawk Rock

Ditto

From the Eastern Side of the Lake

Lake Henry from the Western Swan,with all Different Waterfowl Swimming Around